She laid like that until morning, eyes wide, barely blinking. When the first light of dawn seeped through her curtains, she finally exhaled. Her bones ached. Her eyes burned. But something inside her shifted. She was done living in fear like this.
She climbed out of bed and whispered a promise to herself: no more fear, no more pretending. If her home wasn’t safe, she’d find out why. Whatever was happening—whoever was doing this—she would face it. Even if the answer wasn’t one she was ready to hear.